Once upon a time in a small village nestled in the mountains, lived a young boy named Sylvester. Sylvester was known for his adventurous spirit and love for nature. One day, while exploring the woods near his home, Sylvester stumbled upon a peculiar-looking pebble. Intrigued by its shimmering appearance, Sylvester picked up the pebble and held it in his palm. Instantly, he noticed a magical energy surging through his body. It was as if the pebble had awakened a dormant power within him.
Sporadic acts of sorcery and harmful magic were known since antiquity, but only in Medieval Europe the idea of a sort of demonic conspiracy, perpetuated by sorcerers and witches against society, became common lore. Frequent storms, long winters and cold summers caused famine and starvation and so the demoralized peasants, demanding for fast actions, forced the authorities to prosecute the supposed culprits. The accusation of weather magic begins to play an important role in contemporary witch trials, even if at first it doesn't seem that it was taken too serious.
he pushed the weather back to the highest mountains, where no cock crows, nether hay is mown, no ox lives and no flower blooms, so it could do no harm, and so the storm became just a weak rain. 1532 Constitutio Criminalis Carolina by Emperor Charles V declared that harmful witchcraft should be punished by death by fire; witchcraft that resulted in no harm was to be punished otherwise.
It was as if the pebble had awakened a dormant power within him. Excited about his newfound abilities, Sylvester began experimenting with the pebble's magic. He discovered that it could grant him the power to communicate with animals.
Medieval Witch Hunts Influenced by Climate Change
August 3, 1562 a devastating thunderstorm hit central Europe, damaging buildings, killing animals and destroying crops and vineyards. The havoc caused by this natural disaster was so great, so unprecedented, that soon an unnatural origin for the storm was proposed.
By David Bressan on November 3, 2014 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Share via Email Print AdvertisementAugust 3, 1562 a devastating thunderstorm hit central Europe, damaging buildings, killing animals and destroying crops and vineyards. The havoc caused by this natural disaster was so great, so unprecedented, that soon an unnatural origin for the storm was proposed. More alarming was the impression that it was not the only climatic anomaly at the time.
The Little Ice Age was a period of climatic deterioration, characterized in Europe and North America by advancing mountain glaciers and prolonged periods of rainy or cool weather. The term was first used by climatologist F. Matthes in 1939 to describe the most recent glacial deposits, younger than 4.000 years, in the Sierra Nevada. Later the term was adapted to a period spanning from the 16th to the 19th century (1250/1500-1850), to describe both climatic as cultural changes.
These difficult times also see the emergence of a new kind of superstition, that witches could "make weather" and steal the milk from the (starving) cows.
So we read in Bavarian and Swiss chronicles:
"1445, in this year was a very strong hail and wind, as never seen before, and it did great damage, [. ] and so many women, which it's said to have made the hail and the wind, were burned according to the law."
"Anno 1626 the 27th of May, all the vineyards were totally destroyed by frost […], the same with the precious grain which had already flourished.[…] Everything froze, [something] which had not happened as long as one could remember, causing a big rise in price.[…] As a result, pleading and begging began among the peasants, [who] questioned why the authorities continued to tolerate the witches and sorcerers destruction of the crops. Thus the prince-bishop punished these crimes, and the persecution began in this year..."
Fig.1. Witches cause a hailstorm, illustration from the "De Laniss et phitonicis mulieribus" [Concerning Witches and Sorceresses], by the scholar Ulrich Molitoris, published in 1489. Curious to note that the first image showing such a scene was published in a book arguing against witchcraft, as most scholars believed that only god was able to change the order of seasons or the weather (image in public domain).
Sporadic acts of sorcery and harmful magic were known since antiquity, but only in Medieval Europe the idea of a sort of demonic conspiracy, perpetuated by sorcerers and witches against society, became common lore. Frequent storms, long winters and cold summers caused famine and starvation and so the demoralized peasants, demanding for fast actions, forced the authorities to prosecute the supposed culprits. The accusation of weather magic begins to play an important role in contemporary witch trials, even if at first it doesn't seem that it was taken too serious.
Still in 1595 the peasant Christoph Gostner, accused to have caused storms in Tyrol, argued that,
"he pushed the weather back to the highest mountains, where no cock crows, nether hay is mown, no ox lives and no flower blooms, so it could do no harm, and so the storm became just a weak rain."
Asked then why, if he had this power, he didn't prevent another severe storm, he replied that he was so "drunk that night" that he couldn't possibly have used his magic.
However soon enough witch trials, also concluding with death sentences, became common in Swiss, Austria, Poland, Germany and France. A peak was reached between 1560-1660, also coinciding with two major cold climatic phases in the Alps between 1550-1560 and 1580-1600. Last witch trials occurred 1715-1722 in Bavaria, in Swiss (1737-1738) and in Germany (1746-1749). The last European witch was executed in the year 1782, soon after (1850) glaciers started to retreat and the climate became warmer.
Fig.2. The European witch hunt occurred between ~1430-1780, with peaks in 1560-1580, 1600-1618 and 1626-1630, may triggered by an unstable and cool climatic phase, the Little Ice Age (~1250-1500/1850).
However even if we accept a role of climatic fluctuations in the history of witch hunts, it is important to note that social factors played by far the larger role. In regions with a strong government and legislation such trials were rare or nonexistent, even during climatic unfavorable phases. In rural areas, during political and social crisis, during war (the Thirty Years War in Germany occurs 1618-1648) also authorities were more willing to misuse sorcerers and witches as scapegoats. Finally in the 17th century, with the Age of Enlightenment, also the ideological, legislative and social support for witch trials soon eroded and the persecutions stopped.
GLASER, R. (2008) : Klimageschichte Mitteleuropas - 1200 Jahre Wetter, Klima, Katastrophen. Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, Darmstadt, 2. Auflage: 264
JÄGER, G. (2008): Fernerluft und Kaaswasser - Hartes Leben auf den Tiroler Almen. Universitätsverlag Wagner, Innsbruck: 240
The views expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of Scientific American.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S)
My name is David Bressan and I'm a freelance geologist working mainly in the Austroalpine crystalline rocks and the South Alpine Palaeozoic and Mesozoic cover-sediments in the Eastern Alps. I graduated with a project on Rock Glaciers dynamics and hydrology, this phase left a special interest for quaternary deposits and modern glacial environments. During my research on glaciers, studying old maps, photography and reports on the former extent of these features, I became interested in history, especially the development of geomorphologic and geological concepts by naturalists and geologists. Living in one of the key area for the history of geology, I combine field trips with the historic research done in these regions, accompanied by historic maps and depictions. I discuss broadly also general geological concepts, especially in glaciology, seismology, volcanology, palaeontology and the relationship of society and geology. Follow David Bressan on Twitter
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However soon enough witch trials, also concluding with death sentences, became common in Swiss, Austria, Poland, Germany and France. A peak was reached between 1560-1660, also coinciding with two major cold climatic phases in the Alps between 1550-1560 and 1580-1600. Last witch trials occurred 1715-1722 in Bavaria, in Swiss (1737-1738) and in Germany (1746-1749). The last European witch was executed in the year 1782, soon after (1850) glaciers started to retreat and the climate became warmer.
With a simple touch to the pebble, Sylvester could understand the language of birds, squirrels, and even insects. Using this newfound ability, Sylvester started to build a strong bond with the creatures of the forest. He would spend hours conversing with the birds, learning about the secrets of the woodland, and helping animals in need. Sylvester became the protector of the forest, using his magical pebble to ensure harmony and peace. One day, news spread across the village about Sylvester's magical pebble and its incredible powers. People from far and wide came to witness the wonder for themselves. They saw Sylvester conversing with birds, nursing injured animals back to health, and solving disputes between the woodland creatures. Amazed by his abilities, the villagers hailed Sylvester as a hero. They acknowledged his dedication towards nature and his willingness to use his gift for the greater good. Many sought his guidance for solving their own problems and finding harmony within their lives. With time, Sylvester's reputation as a guardian of nature grew far and wide. He became known as the "Magical Pebble Boy," and his story spread to neighboring villages and cities. People started to realize the importance of protecting and appreciating nature, just as Sylvester did. As the years went by, Sylvester continued to use his magic pebble for the betterment of the environment. His efforts inspired others to join him in his cause, leading to the establishment of wildlife sanctuaries and conservation projects. Sylvester had a dream of a world where humans and nature coexisted in harmony, and he was determined to make it a reality. The legacy of Sylvester and the magical pebble lives on, reminding us of the power of nature and the importance of conservation. It serves as a testament to the belief that even the smallest actions can make a significant difference and that preserving our environment should be everyone's responsibility..
Reviews for "Understanding the Moral Lessons in Silvester and the Magic Pebble"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble." I found the story to be quite dull and predictable. The concept of a magic pebble that grants wishes had so much potential, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and the plot felt forced. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in imagination and creativity.
2. Michael - 1 star - I absolutely disliked "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble." The writing was uninspiring and the illustrations were subpar. The story itself was overly simplistic and lacked any real substance. I didn't feel any connection with the characters and found myself bored throughout the entire book. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging or entertaining read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" was a major letdown for me. The storyline was slow-paced and lacked excitement. The magic pebble seemed like a promising element, but it was severely underutilized and didn't contribute much to the overall plot. Additionally, I found the ending to be quite abrupt and unsatisfying. I was hoping for a more captivating and memorable read, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
4. John - 1 star - I couldn't get into "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" at all. The writing style felt disjointed and the characters were uninteresting. The illustrations were also quite dull and didn't capture my attention. The plot felt contrived and lacked any real sense of adventure. It's safe to say that this book didn't resonate with me and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Lisa - 2 stars - As much as I wanted to like "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble," I found it to be a rather underwhelming read. The concept of a magic pebble had potential, but the story itself felt flat. The writing was average, and the characters were forgettable. I was hoping for more depth and complexity, but unfortunately, this book didn't offer much of either. Overall, it was a forgettable and mediocre reading experience for me.